Meals on Wheels

Since 1966, Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center has delivered more than 2.4 million healthy, nutritious meals to the homebound elderly on Manhattan’s East Side. During the past fiscal year, we served over 166,000 meals through Meals on Wheels deliveries and in our Senior Center.

For the homebound elderly, many of whom are too frail to shop or cook for themselves, Meals on Wheels extends a lifeline. In addition to providing sustenance to many poverty-stricken older people who are struggling to get by on cereal and crackers, our deliverers, caseworkers and volunteers also provide light shopping and escort services.

The average length of employment for our Meals on Wheels deliverers is a little over eight years, so our clients frequently develop close relationships with their deliverers. The daily contact with the friendly faces of Meals on Wheels deliverers not only helps counteract debilitating isolation, it also has proved lifesaving.

Partly funded by the New York City Department for the Aging and Citymeals-on-Wheels, the Stanley M. Isaacs Meals on Wheels program was the first program of its kind in New York State. For over 37 years, this program has helped thousands of senior citizens on the East Side of Manhattan live more independent, healthier lives in their own homes.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Participant must live from 42nd Street to 106th Street,
   East Side only
2. 60 years of age or older
3. Homebound or unable to walk/ride to congregate
   meal site unattended
4. Unable to prepare meals for one or more of the following reasons:
   
   
   • Incapacity due to accident, illness, or mental or physical impairments
   • Lack of facilities such as refrigerator, stove
   • Inability to shop for food
   • Inability to safely prepare meals
   • Lack of knowledge and/or skills
   
   
5. Inadequate or no formal support who can provide meals on a regualr basis.
6. Able to live safely at home, if provided with meals and other services.
7. Ineligible for, or does not require, Medicaid-funded home care (unless an exception on policy).
8. Not enrolled in a Medicaid-funded community based long term care program operating under a waiver (e.g. Lombardi, VNS Choice).